Amtrak train derails in Washington state

[Joods]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/18/us/amtrak-...index.html

What we know now

• What happened: An Amtrak passenger train derailed and is now dangling onto Interstate 5 in Pierce County, Washington.
  
  
• The victims: Amtrak released a statement saying "some injuries" have been reported in the crash. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said to expect casualties.
  

[vorlon13]

Jesus, no numbers on TV (FNC) but hard to imagine from the pictures there won't be fatalities. Damn, this is looking bad.

[Joods]

Amtrak: "Some injuries reported"
Amtrak just released a statement, saying it was aware of the crash and "some injuries are reported." It also added that it has shut down all service south of Seattle.
Here's the statement:
"Amtrak is aware of an incident with Train 501, Cascades service from Seattle to Portland. Emergency services are on the scene and Amtrak management is responding. Some injuries are reported. Amtrak service south of Seattle is temporarily suspended. Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant."

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Now they are saying on CNN there are some casualties being reported.

[c172]

I was listening to KEXP in a nap and I [think they broke in briefly with this. 

But here's a local special report livestream: http://www.kiro7.com/live-stream

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And yes. per KIRO, there are three confirmed fatalities, all on the train.

[vorlon13]

6 ?

[c172]

Yeah, now I'm hearing 6.

[Jackalope]

According to local news there are many dozens of casualties, around 90, more than people on the train. Presumably the excess are people who were travelling south on I-5. At least six dead.

KG is stuck in the traffic shit show aftermath north of there.

[Anomalocaris]

Latest report says there are several derailed cars that are unsafe for rescuers to access and everyone in those cars are believed dead. If this is accurate the fatality can soon rise much higher.

This is apparently Amtrak’s very first run on this stretch of rail.  This stretch has previously been little used.  I suspect someone didn’t inspect the route first very thoroughly, or didn’t consider whether the curves in the rail were suitable for an express passenger train.

[Jackalope]

Latest report says there are several derailed cars that are unsafe for rescuers to access and everyone in those cars are believed dead. If this is accurate the fatality can soon rise much higher.

This is apparently Amtrak’s very first run on this stretch of rail.  This stretch has previously been little used.  I suspect someone didn’t inspect the route first very thoroughly, or didn’t consider whether the curves in the rail were suitable for an express passenger train.

(b-mine)

The bolded is true, they've been talking about this reconfiguration of the rail line and it's opening today for some time now.

The rail in question is old rail that was supposedly upgraded for high-speed passenger service.

The death toll will almost certainly go higher. The fatalities so far are apparently in cars that are largely inaccessible to rescuers.

[Minimalist]

Why couldn't the WLB have been on that train?